Russian businessman and poker player Nadar Kakhmazov emerged victorious in the 2017 World Series of Poker $5,000 six-max no-limit hold’em event, defeating a field of 574 entries to win his first bracelet and the top prize of $580,338.

“I am very happy,” said Kakhmazov after his victory. “I have wanted to do this for three years but every time I lose two big pots deep in the tournament. I like it. I’m happy.”

Kakhmazov has been on quite the run over the past month. In late May he finished eighth in the PokerStars Championship Sochi main event in his home country for $63,720. Then in early June he won the Mid-States Poker Tour Venetian $1,100 main event, defeating a field of 3,273 players to win $395,888. Now he has won his first event at the WSOP, and in what is widely considered one of the toughest tournaments of the summer.

Not only did he earn a bracelet and a six-figure payday for this latest win, he also score 1,680 Card Player Player of the Year points. Seeing as this was his second title in a huge event and his third final table finish of the year, Kakhmazov has climbed into fifth place on the overall Player of the Year race leaderboard, which is presented in 2017 by Commerce Hotel & Casino.

Kakhmazov came into the final day in third chip position with six players remaining, but he was only a handful of big blinds behind chip leader Faraz Jaka. As you would expect from an event with this type of pedigree, the final table was stacked with respected no-limit hold’em tournament talent, including the aforementioned Jaka (5th – $112,585), WSOP bracelet winner Sam Soverel (4th – $162,257) and 2016 November Niner Kenny Hallaert (3rd – $238,855).

In the end Kakhmazov survived to heads-up play against well known online tournament pro Chris “Big Huni” Hunichen, holding nearly a 3-to-1 chip advantage over the American. Hunichen was able to find a double up to nearly even proceedings on the 14th hand of heads-up action, but Kakhmazov didn’t skip a beat and roughly ten hands later was back to a 2-to-1 lead.

Shortly after that the final hand of the tournament was dealt. Hunichen raised to 225,000 and Kakhmazov made the call. The flop brought theQ 106 and Kakhmazov checked to Hunichen, who fired 225,000. Kakhmazov then raised to 650,000 and Hunichen called. The turn paired the board with the 10 and Kakhmazov checked. Hunichen bet 975,000 and Kakhmazov moved all in for around 9 million, having Hunichen well covered. After plenty of thought, Hunichen called with the Q2. Kakhmazov had the Q7 and with a river 6 the Russian’s kicker played, securing him the pot and the title. Hunichen was eliminated in second place, earning $358,677 for the largest live cash of his career.

Here is a look at the payouts and POY points awarded at this final table:

PlacePlayerEarnings (USD)POY Points

1
Nadar Kakhmazov
$580,338
1680

2
Christopher Hunichen
$358,677
1400

3
Kenny Hallaert
$238,855
1120

4
Sam Soverel
$162,257
840

5
Faraz Jaka
$112,585
700

6
Christian Rudolph
$79,611
560

For more coverage from the summer series, visit the 2017 WSOP landing page complete with a full schedule, news, player interviews and event recaps.

If you can’t make it down to the WSOP at the Rio, you can still play with BetOnline Poker. Click the banner below for more information. Card Player readers are eligible for an initial deposit bonus offer of 100 percent up to $2,500. Enter code ‘NEWBOL’